THE STUNNING ART OF MARATHAS WE HARDLY KNOW ABOUT

February 12, 2021

Amongst all the princely rulers of India, the Marathas were known for their bravado on the battlefield. Be it the battle cry of Chhatrapati Shivaji or the war intrigues of Bajirao, little is ever spoken of the rich heritage of Maratha culture. Its contribution to the creation of the most...

THE SUAVE RAJPUTS OF PALITANA

February 12, 2021

It was at the coronation of the Thakur of Rajkot Mandata Sinhji that I first met Ketan, a suave young Mumbaiker running a brewery called Brewbot in Mumbai with taprooms in Bandra and Andheri. His goatee, stylish achkan and well-tied saafa, giving away his Rajput roots. On chatting with him,...

Handcrafting silver ornaments for the stars

February 6, 2021

I belong to the era of jewelry lovers who only wore silver that was crafted as an ode to the tribal women of Rajasthan – those brazenly beautiful women whose billowy skirts, knot blouses and large odhnas offered you a peep into their sumptuous bejeweled selves. Their bold bangdis (bangles) enhanced their dusky arms...

RAVIDARSHAN VYAS: RECREATING RAVI VARMA TO NARRATE HIS LIFE STORY

February 5, 2021

He creates art that is like a visual biography of his illustrious life, with imagery of the many bastions of creativity that have touched the core of his heart, a rustling up of regal iconography as witnessed by him and his family and a meeting of magical, mystical, spiritual realms with...

When Royalty Serves Their Delectable Cuisines

February 5, 2021

NEW DELHI: It is a unique partnership that has brought two cousins and best friends together to work on, showcase and promote royal cuisine that amplifies their common love for food. Kunwarani Vijaya Singh, a princess of Jhabua married into Nahan in Himachal Pradesh, and Thakur Shivraj Singh of Limdi,...

Sunayana Chibba and her Zen for perfection

January 30, 2021

Ever heard of a lady Pied Piper, the one who always has a brood of women following her footsteps, in awe and admiration. As she leads them to ‘good times’ full of fun, frolic with lots of glam slam thrown in. She is someone other women listen to, emulate, rely...

A FASHION PROTÉGÉ WITH A FEARLESS LANGUAGE

January 30, 2021

Abstraction and fluid forms, the dexterous interplay of pristine whites with the sharpest shades in the pantone and a form that defies convention, Siddhant Agarwal seems to be the ‘new kid on the block’, calling his label a ‘pret to couture’ collection that is first and foremost sustainable. A student...

PRINCELY FORCES THAT SERVE DEMOCRATIC INDIA WITH PASSION

January 29, 2021

Witnessing a rather shrunken Republic Day parade in this year, it was heartening to hear the commentator acknowledge the fact that the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, an infantry Regiment of the Indian army, was originally the state force of Jammu & Kashmir, founded by Raja Gulab Singh in 1821 and...

BHOPALI TALES: PRESERVING HISTORY THROUGH FACEBOOK POSTS

January 29, 2021

Among the many Indian cities of the nawabs, the picturesque Bhopal holds a special charm. Filled with lakes and majestic palaces, it is also home to the fabled patiyas (stone slabs) and patiyabaaz who, each evening, turn tea stalls and the foyers of havelis into veritable chat rooms, plonking themselves on these proverbial patiyas, discussing the earth, the moon and everything in...

Reviving past threads, inch by inch

January 23, 2021

Hand painting on textiles, creating modern day costuming and restoring vintage fabrics that are frazzled with time, Jyoti Singh and her fashion studio, Rang Riwaaz, relive the splendors of the past. Based in Gurugram, she works with master artists to create what she calls art textiles or aesthetic fashion cameos....